Exploring landscapes of quantum technology with Patent Network Analysis

While the new chapter of quantum technologies is bringing transformative changes to our society, a quantum ecosystem, which synergises the supportive activities from both social and scientific & technological sides, is acknowledged as a critical force to push the movements. Despite the importance of a quantum ecosystem, current articles barely illustrated its interconnected relations, essential elements and the long-term attributes of developing technologies. We apply the innovation ecosystem and social-technical system theories to bridge such research gaps by realising the patent network analysis. The analytical contents include focal actors, main technological clusters and technological trajectory, and most of them correspond to relevant reports. Particularly, quantum computation is an eye-catching subfield due to its high and intensive knowledge engagements in the past years. Last, we conclude the analytical results and provide two discussions in the discussion & conclusion section as the main contributions. One is to illustrate the long-term attributes and backgrounds of the analytical contents through the lens of the multi-level perspective framework. The other illustrates a path toward a focal actor.

Automated summary

The new chapter of quantum technologies brings transformative changes to society, and a quantum ecosystem is seen as a critical force in driving these changes. However, current articles lack in-depth analysis of the interconnected relations, essential elements, and long-term attributes of developing technologies within the quantum ecosystem, highlighting the need for further research in this area.